Monthly Archives: June 2013

First, a fictional anecdote: So, there is a car accident involving a father and son. The father is killed instantly, but the son survives. He is rushed to the hospital, in critical condition, but the doctor says, “I can’t treat … Continue reading →

My newest accessory is a hand magnet and conversation starter. You can’t get it in stores. And my husband and I get excited about it whenever it moves. What else could I be talking about? My baby bump! It popped … Continue reading →

The Aton 2 infant car seat by Cybex is definitely worth checking out. It’s the car seat to get for two reasons: ultimate safety and a groovy ride for your kiddo. Out of the box, the car seat is pretty much … Continue reading →

I have already written about the abundance of baby experts and their need to educate expecting parents on their pending doom. We had multiple interactions with these educators while my wife was pregnant. A waitress once approached us and said … Continue reading →

I’m living in a bubble. It’s not a real plastic bubble like the one 1970’s Welcome Back Kotter John Travolta lived in while filming his riveting made-for-TV movie The Boy in the Plastic Bubble. My bubble isn’t nearly as well … Continue reading →

Tonight, at bedtime, I read Isaac a book. I’ve “read” him books before, but this time, I really, actually read it. This time, he sat and looked at the pages instead of trying to rip them from my hands. Granted, … Continue reading →

UPDATE: This contest is now closed. Congratulations to our winner, Steve N. of Reisterstown, MD! Pura Stainless was created with a simple vision — to make a difference by responsibly manufacturing safe, durable, and cost-effective infant, toddler, and adult bottles … Continue reading →

My ParentLab journeyBee arrived late one afternoon, after my husband had already left for the night shift at the hospital. Usually I give the job of assembling items like this to him, but I was too excited to wait. The manual … Continue reading →

Here at the Palmer house, I always have some home improvement project underway—and at least two or three dozen more ideas on my future to-do list. Lately, at least a handful of these projects have centered around a single room … Continue reading →

Dear Zach, I’ll never forget the day. August 19, 2012. Three dollar tree tests and one digital. “Pregnant.” Words can’t even describe how excited I felt. It had been three months since we began trying for you. Three months of using … Continue reading →

Having a deployed husband can turn a pregnant wife’s glow into worry. Operation Shower helps these military moms cope by throwing them baby showers and sending gifts, also known as Showers in a Box. Showers in a Box contain enough … Continue reading →

P&N’s Nursery Tour: A peek into fabulous baby rooms across the country. Sara Faris is mom to baby Virginia Grace in Atlanta, Georgia. What was your vision for the nursery? We didn’t find out the sex of the baby until … Continue reading →

My husband and I are not the most harmonious “assemblers,” so when the Maxi-Cosi Kaia arrived on our doorstep one afternoon and he was still at work, I jumped at the chance to set it up on my own and wow … Continue reading →

Even though he’s our firstborn, Roo already has competition for his parents’ love and affection – our dog, Finn. This furry little companion is obsessed with his Papa (not that I can blame him). He greets him at the door … Continue reading →

In honor of Father’s Day this Sunday, we’re taking a look at some of Hollywood’s leading men from father-of-two Freddie Prinze, Jr., to new dads Nick Lachey and Bill Rancic, to dad-of-one Richie Sambora, and father-of-five Chris O’Donnell. We’re highlighting 16 proud papas who share their … Continue reading →

The other day, I came home and found my child lying on a strange contraption. He was on his back, kicking his legs in the air. Beneath him was a colorful mat, illustrated with trees, animals and odd looking people. … Continue reading →

I counted. It’s true. In the last five days, more people have touched my boobs than I’ve had boyfriends. I’ve been manhandled by many a lactation aid with man-hands, and the strangest part is—I don’t care. Where once I wouldn’t … Continue reading →

Generally, I’m not the romantic, sentimental type. For the most part, I approach life–and, hence, pregnancy and motherhood–with more practicality and less mush. But there is one aspect of becoming a mother that I see as almost sacred: Choosing a … Continue reading →

Can we talk about the sad state my hair is in? I hesitated to write about this, considering that this is a blog about motherhood. But then again, my hair is like this due to the perfect little person that … Continue reading →

I’ve really hesitated in sitting down to write a “birth story” for Luke. At the moment he is sound asleep in my arms in the most adorable striped pajama outfit. I want to remember moments like this when he is … Continue reading →

When my husband and I found out we were pregnant with twins, we were initially in shock, but overwhelmed with happiness. Then we started thinking about how difficult it was going to be to raise two children at the same … Continue reading →

Sunday will mark my third Father’s Day as a member of the club. Last year, I was feeling a little salty when I wrote THIS. Oh, it was exaggerated and stuff, but there were some nuggets of truth buried … Continue reading →

When Arthur and I began dating more than eight years ago, babies weren’t exactly at the forefront of my mind. But I knew that anyone I ended up with would have to not only be my best friend but an … Continue reading →

The other day, I walked into the nursery and found my baby doing air kicks. He was lying on his back with both legs up in the air, cycling frantically with a ridiculous grin on his face. If he were … Continue reading →

I must have left it at the hospital, because I can’t find it anywhere. It’s not in my stack of discharge papers. It’s not in my suitcase. It’s not mixed in with our heap of stolen hospital baby blankets. It’s … Continue reading →

In celebration of Father’s Day on June 16, we’re taking a look at Hollywood’s newest patriarchs who will celebrate for the first time. From Channing Tatum to Steve Martin to Nick Lachey to Bill Rancic, look through our list of 10 celebrity dads enjoying their … Continue reading →

Over the last seven years and three kids, we have used a number of monitors with various features, including voice activation and video. By the time baby number three came along, most of those had either broken, been given away … Continue reading →

We held off on purchasing a monitor as long as we could. For the first few weeks of our daughter’s life, we were so protective and enamored, we could not tolerate the idea of allowing her more than two feet … Continue reading →

When my husband and I discovered we were expecting our first baby, we tried to be laid-back about the whole thing, not buying too many toys or accessories before he arrived. Since we live in a relatively small apartment we’d … Continue reading →

As a busy mom of two who has just started training for my first 5k, the Bumbleride Indie was just the motivation I needed to take my training from the treadmill to the outdoors. I was elated when the box … Continue reading →

Isaac is getting more mobile by the day. Back and forth around the living room he goes, usually after the basket that holds the toys more than the toys themselves. He will rise up on all fours and rock, but … Continue reading →

For the past couple of years, I’ve been a work-from-home mom (and, before that, a pregnant lady) in a one-car family. As a result, most days I had no cause or ability to venture out of our neighborhood. As a … Continue reading →

I am writing this to document the birth of my first niece, Vera Elizabeth Register, born a healthy 7 lbs., 9 oz., and 20 inches on April 16, 2013. I also am writing to honor my sister’s bravery and to … Continue reading →

Here’s something you never want to hear: “Daddy, toothpaste is up HERE.” Especially as you’re looking down at a substance purporting to be a tube of Thomas the Train swallowable toothpaste, which you just finished brushing his teeth with. Well, … Continue reading →

It’s no secret that I strongly opposed finding out the sex of our baby going into this pregnancy. I liked the element of surprise and the romance of guessing until the end. Hearing my husband announce whether we had a … Continue reading →

This month, the P&N Book Club delves into the science behind an infant’s first few months of life. In The Fourth Trimester: Understanding, Protecting, and Nurturing an Infant Through the First Three Months, long-time medical journalist Susan Brink details the importance of … Continue reading →

I was absolutely thrilled when Chicco started advertising their new Echo stroller. I was ready to retire our bulky travel system stroller for one that was lightweight and easier to store. Unfortunately, the Chicco Liteway that I had been eyeing … Continue reading →

Mother-of-six Angelina Jolie shocked fans with the news of her recent preventative double mastectomy. After testing positive for a faulty BRCA1 gene, the Academy Award-winning actress put the spotlight on the sensitive procedure that many other women have elected to have. Angelina is not … Continue reading →

My baby lies to the public. At home, he cries here and there like any normal baby. Away from home, he likes to stare and pose for our friends, like a runway model baby. He is quiet, observantand stoic. He’s … Continue reading →

UPDATE: Contest is now closed! Congratulations to the winner: Sarah W. of Sacramento, CA! Like to make your own baby food? Love the environment? Our daily life is fast-paced, so the food-in-pouches trend has taken off. Fortunately, the founders of … Continue reading →